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Writing duo has 'Millions' at stake

Diliberti, Sullivan on 1902 novel's latest incarnation

Michael Diliberti and Matthew Sullivan have been tapped to pen "Brewster's Millions," the latest take on the George Barr McCutcheon novel set up at Warner Bros.

The 1902 novel, which became a play in 1906, has proved to be a popular film subject, with this project being the eighth incarnation. Popular versions include the 1945 film starring Dennis O'Keefe, directed by Allan Dwan, and the 1985 comedy starring Richard Pryor and John Candy and directed by Walter Hill.

The story centers on a man who inherits $1 million from a rich grandfather. When a rich uncle who hated the grandfather also passes away, the will leaves the young man $7 million -- but under the condition he spends the grandfather's million within a year and not end up with any assets from the spending spree.

Diliberti and Sullivan got the gig coming off the buzz generated by their spec "Comic Con." That buddy comedy revolves around two friends who form a justice league of comic geeks to plan and execute a daring heist at Comic-Con in order to save their beloved neighborhood comic shop from the clutches of an evil corporate takeover. Principato-Young is attached to produce, and New School Media, which reps the duo, is exec producing.

The scribes met while attending the Johns Hopkins University. Sullivan segued into stand-up comedy, and Diliberti spent several years as an assistant to Scott Rudin, acting as an associate producer on the Rudin-produced "Stop-Loss." Diliberti, who got married over the weekend, also was a creative exec at Paramount.